Internal Audit Associate (Trainee)

Clive Owen Llp; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Clive Owen is seeking an Internal Audit Associate to gain hands-on experience with clients, especially in the education sector. The role focuses on evaluating systems, spotting risks, and suggesting improvements while working in a supportive team using modern audit tools.

You’ll build skills for a career in audit and beyond, with study support and a clear pathway into senior audit and advisory roles. Travel to client sites across the North-East and Yorkshire is involved.

Qualifications

• 3 A-Levels at grades A*-C (or equivalent) and a desire to study AAT.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to deliver on time.
• Excellent communication skills, comfortable with clients face to face, by phone and email.
• Good IT skills (Excel is your friend).
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proactive and able to show initiative when solving problems.
• Flexible, adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness to travel to client sites.

Responsibilities

• Plan assignments, liaise with clients and prepare working papers for testing.
• Prepare audit reports and contribute to client deliverables.
• Support the wider audit and accounts team on statutory audits and accounts prep.
• Act as a point of contact for clients on ad hoc queries.
• Join and contribute to department meetings.
• Suggest ways to improve systems, processes and controls.
• Visit clients across the North-East and Yorkshire, gaining valuable exposure.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Proactivity/Initiative

Willingness to travel

Education

A-Levels (A*-C)

AAT studies

Tools

Sage

Iris

Access

Xero

Excel

Job description

At Clive Owen, internal audit isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about helping organisations improve, grow, and gain confidence in how they run. As an Internal Audit Associate, you’ll get hands on experience working with clients (particularly in the education sector to start with) and learn how to evaluate systems, spot risks and suggest improvements. You’ll be part of a supportive team, use the latest technology and build skills that will set you for a career full of opportunities in audit and beyond.

What you’ll be doing

• Planning assignments, liaising with clients and preparing working papers for testing
• Prepare audit reports and contribute to client deliverables
• Support the wider audit and accounts team on statutory audits and accounts prep
• Act as a point of contact for clients on ad hoc queries
• Join and contribute to department meetings
• Suggest ways to improve systems, processes and controls
• Visit clients across the North-East and Yorkshire, gaining valuable exposure

What we’re looking for

We value enthusiasm and potential just as much as prior experience

• 3 A-Levels at grades A*-C (or equivalent) and a desire to study AAT
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to deliver on time
• Excellent communication skills, comfortable with clients face to face, by phone and email
• Good IT skills (Excel is your friend)
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Proactive and able to show initiative when solving problems
• Flexible, adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities
• Willingness to travel to client sites

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of accounting software (Sage, Iris, Access, Xero)
• Awareness of the education sector

What you’ll get from us

• Professional Qualifications: Study support for AAT/ACA/ACCA
• Real world experience: Work directly with clients from day one
• Career Progression: A clear pathway into senior audit and advisory roles
• Mentorship & Support: Learn from experienced auditors and managers
• Modern tools: Training in leading audit and accounting software

Key Skills you’ll build

• Internal audit and assurance expertise
• Report writing and communication skills
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Organisation and time management
• Confidence in working directly with clients